US1532391A - Measured-service telephone system - Google Patents

Measured-service telephone system Download PDF

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Publication number
US1532391A
US1532391A US461760A US46176021A US1532391A US 1532391 A US1532391 A US 1532391A US 461760 A US461760 A US 461760A US 46176021 A US46176021 A US 46176021A US 1532391 A US1532391 A US 1532391A
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United States
Prior art keywords
line
magnet
substation
armature
calling
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Expired - Lifetime
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US461760A
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English (en)
Inventor
Erickson John
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Automatic Electric Co
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Automatic Electric Co
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Publication date
Application filed by Automatic Electric Co filed Critical Automatic Electric Co
Priority to US461760A priority Critical patent/US1532391A/en
Priority to DEA37540D priority patent/DE477682C/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US1532391A publication Critical patent/US1532391A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/28—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP with meter at substation or with calculation of charges at terminal

Definitions

  • JOHN ERICKSON OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC COM- PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.
  • the present invention relates in general to measured service telephone systems but has particular reference to measured service equipment for automatic telephone systems which may or may not include party lines. More specifically, the invention provides an improved time controlled substation meter for use in systems of the above character, and having a number of novel and useful features which will be pointed out and described hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.
  • Fig. 1 is a front view of the improved automatic substation meter equipment in which the cover is removed to expose the internal mechanism;
  • Figs. 2 and 3 show details of certain parts of the clock mechanism for controlling the meter;
  • Fig. 4 is a view of the apparatus with the cover in place;
  • Fig. 5 is a circuit drawing showing the substation circuits complete, and sufficient of the central otlice circuits to eX- plain the operation.
  • the base is formed preferably of heavy sheet metal and has a down. turned rim all around to give the necessary rigidity.
  • the box 72 is hinged on rod 70 on one side and isheld shut by a lock on the other side, the key hole of the said lock being indicated by the reference character 71.
  • a clock Inside of the box 72 there is a clock of which the face is clearly seen. This clock is so constructed and so interconnected with the apparatus with which it is associated that it steps forward a definite period of time, when a call is answered, and runs thereafter until the calling subscriber replaces his receiver.
  • the controlling arm 7 extending upward from a hole suitably cut in the top of box 72-, fits into a notch 6 of the armature 3 of a magnet of the well known polarized type. As shown, the arm 7 is in normal position, that is, it is forced all the way over to the right. When a call is answered the lower end of armature 3 swings to the left carrying the top end of the arm 7 with it. This causes the hands of the clock to move forward a predetermined amount, assumed in the present case to be one minute, although it is understood that they may be arranged to step forward any desired amount. When the lower end of armature swings to the left it is locked in that position, in a manner to be hereinafter described, and remains so until the calling subscriber replaces his receiver. While the armature is locked in this position the clock is allowed to run so as to register not only the completed calls but also the amount of time such calls consume, as cumulative time.
  • the magnets comprising coils and 21.
  • the usual heel piece and armature are provided, the latter being indicated by the reference character 22.
  • the armature 22 controls the springs 32-35, inclusive.
  • an arm '73 Secured to armature 22 by rivets, there is an arm '73, provided for the purpose of looking the armature 3 of the polarized magnet in its normal position so as to prevent its operation at certain times when it is undesirable to have it operated.
  • the arm 8 strikes the projection 58 of piece 56 causing the latter to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction su1iiciently to unlock the lever which moves upward allowing springs and (36 to come into contact with their respective coi'itacts.
  • the arm 60 falls into the notch 10 of the extension 9 of the armature 3;
  • This arm locks the armature 3 in its operated position.
  • Figs. 2 and 3 which show part of the gear train together with the escapement, the peculiar mechanical construction of the time mechanism for con trolling the meter will now be explained.
  • theparts 81-84, inclusive and 86 are substantially the same as the corresponding parts in an ordinary desk clock.
  • the apparatus is shown in normal position, that is, in the position it is in when the substation receiver is on thehook. It will be remembered that at this time the lower end of armature 3 is moved over all the way to the right and likewise the upper end of lever 7, which is engaged by the notch 6.
  • There is an extension 77 on the arm 7 which carries a spring 7 8 adapted to engage teeth on the balance wheel 80 of the clock mechanism, the said spring being se cured by screw 79.
  • the wheel 83 is rigidly secured to the shaft 90, the said shaft turning freely in holes drilled in the frame work but being prevented from sidewise move ment by shoulders formed thereon.
  • the drum 91 loosely mounted on the shaft 90, is controlled jointly, in its side-wise movement. by lever 93 and spring 9 1.
  • the pin 92 mounted on drum 91 is adapted to engage either the pin 8-1 or the pin 85, on
  • the substation A comprises, in addition to the apparatus already described, the usual receiver, transmitter, bell and switchhook. Being an automatic substation, it is also provided with a calling device comprising the impulse springs X together with the shunt springs W. This calling device is of the well known type and accordingly need not be described in detail.
  • the two line conductors 101 and 102 extend to the exchange where they terminate preferably in an individual line switch or trunk selector.
  • the line switch C shown in the drawing, is a rotary line switch of the well known type in which the wipers have no normal position and move in a forward direction only.
  • the circuit of the selector switch E has been omitted. This can well be done in view of the fact that such selectors are well known in the art.
  • Most of the circuit of the connector H has been omitted also, the drawings showing only the line, release, and back bridge relays. This causes no'inconvenience, however, for the relays shown are the only ones necessary to explain the present invention.
  • the line switch C is similar to the line switch C;
  • the substation A may or may not be equipped with a substation meter similar to the one shown at A.
  • the substation A comprises the usual talking instrumentalities together with a calling device for controlling the central oflice switches.
  • magnet 21 Upon energizing, magnet 21 prepares a circuit for magnet 4L5 at armature 34. and at armature 32 places the following shunt around itself: from the left hand end of the winding magnet 21. by way of the working contact of spring 32 and said spring, spring and its resting contact, resting contact of spring 1%) and said spring, and the right hand end of the winding of magnet 21.
  • the armature of the said magnet does not restore at this time because of the previously described interlocking arrangement between it and the armature of magnet 15.
  • relay 111 In the line switch C, relay 111 energizes as soon as the before mentioned shunt is placed around the winding of the high resistance magnet 21. Upon energizing, line relay 111 closes at armature 116 a circuit for the switching relay 110 and stepping magnet 112 in series, and at armature 117 connects the test wiper 119 to the above circuit at a point between the switching relay and the stepping magnet. The operation now depends upon whether the trunk line upon which the wipers of the line switch are standing is busy or idle. If it is busy the switching relay 110 is short circuited and the stepping magnet 112, which interrupts its own circuit, is operated to advance the wipers step by step in search of an idle trunk line.
  • test wiper 119 When an idle trunk line is reached the test wiper 119 no longer en gages a grounded contact.
  • the switching relay 110 being no longer short circuited, immediately energizes. Stepping magnet 112, however, does not energize because of the high resistance of the said switching relay.
  • Switching relay 110 upon energizing, grounds the test wiper 119 at armature 114, and at armatures 113 and 115 disconnects the'line conductors 101 and 102 from the winding of line relay 111 and from ground, respectively, and extends them by way of line wipers 118 and 120, bank contacts 121 and 123, to the upper and lower windings, respectively, of the line relay (not shown) of the selector E.
  • the line and release relays of the selector accordingly energize and the latter (not shown) in the well known manner places ground on the release trunk conductor extending back to and terminating in bank contact 122.
  • This establishes a holding circuit "for the switching relay 110 before the slow acting line relay 111 has time to deenergize.
  • this holding circuit By means of the ground potential on test contact 122 and its multiples in the banks of the other line switches theselector E is made busy to the line switches having access to it.
  • a branch of this holding circuit also extends by way of private normal conductor 103 to multiple test contacts in the banks of the connectors having access to the line of substation A, thereby guarding the line against intrusion in the usual manner.
  • the subscriber at substation A now turns the knob 100- clearly shown in Fig. 4 in the direction indicated by the arrow.
  • An arm attached to the said knob inside the cover, operates the lever Fig. 1.
  • the lever upon operating, becomes locked in the notch 57 of locking member 50 so that it cannot return to normal position when the knob .ceiver, and polarized magnet.
  • the lever 55 also separates the springs 65 and 66 from their respective resting contacts. Re'l'erri. new again to l 5, spring 66, upon operating, removes the short circuit from the calling device springs X while spring 65, upon operating, removes the snort circuitfrom the polarized magnet comprising the windings l and 2.
  • the armature 3, however, of the said polar ized magnet is not operated at this time because the current is flowing in a direction opposite to that in which it must flow in order to operate the said magnet.
  • the submcriber may now operate his c'alling device in accordance with the first digit of the desired number. As soon as the device is moved from its normal position the shunt springs W make contact, thereby placing a shunt around the transmitter, re-
  • the calling device in returning to normal interrupts the circuit of the line relay of selector E at springs X a number of times corresponding to the number for which it is operated.
  • the selector E raises its wipers 130-132, inclusive, step by stop until they stand o-p posite the desired level oi": contacts.
  • the wipers are automatically rotated to pick out an idle trunk line. in the present case we shall assume that the trunk line terminating in the bank contacts l33135, inclusive, is the first one found idle and consequently the one selected.
  • the selector E extends a connection through to the upper and lower windings of line relay 137 of connector H.
  • the line and release relays 137 and 138 accordingly energize and the latter prepares the switch for operation in the usual manner and places ground on the release trunk conductor so as to provide the usual holding circuit.
  • the calling subscriber may now operate his calling device in accordance with the last two digits oi. the desired number. 'l horeupon, the connector ll. raises its wipers to the desired level and rotates them ,until they stand on the desired set of contacts or the one in which the line of substation A terminates.
  • the switching relay oi the line switch C is operated in the well known manner remoring the bridge of the line relay from the called line, and ringing current is intermittentl" sent out to ring the bridged bell of the called substation.
  • the polarized magnet comprising windings l and 2 is now operated and the lower end of armature 3 is accordingly swung to the left.
  • This causes the clock at the said substation to step ahead one minute as hereinbetore described after which it contiimes to run until it is stopped by the subsequent return or armature 3 to normal position, the said armature being locked in its operated position by the arm 60, Fig. 1.
  • the extension 8 there of comes into contact with extension 58 of locking member 56, causing the latter to move suflioiently to, unlock the fileveri 55 thereby allowing the springs and 66 to come into contact with their respectireresting contacts.
  • Spring 66 replaces the short circuit around the impulse springs. "this, however, has no particular function at this time but causes no harm to result for the reason that the number has already been called and consequently there is no further need of opera-ting the calling device.
  • the spring 65 upon bein released replaces the short circuit around the windings of the polarized magnet. This is done for two reasons; First to secure a better talking circuit for substation A, and second,to prevent any fiu't-her operation of the back bridge relay 136 from having any effect on said polarized magnet.
  • the calling and called subscribers may now converse with each other in the usual manner, the talking circuit being outlined by the heavy conductors.
  • the couversation is completed both subscribers replace their receivers upon the switchluioks.
  • Vvhen the receiver is replaced at substation A, a circuit is closed by way of the switchhook and its lower contact, spring 3-13: and its working contact, and the magnet 45 to conductor 101.
  • magnet d5 upon energizing, operates its armature 4L6 whereupon the extension 47 engages the extensions 59 and 61 thereby moving locking member 56 and arm 60 to normal position.
  • magnet 21 which is connected across the line by the removal of the receiver is shunted by a low resistance talking bridge at substation A whereby the said magnet 21 is prevented from energizing because of its relatively high resistance.
  • an extension 74 will be seen riveted onto the armature 22.
  • This (EXl'Gllsion isshown broken off for the sake of simplicity but it actually extends to the opposite side of the case where a target secured thereto is normally held just above the door 101 in thecover, Fig. 4.
  • magnet 21 is operated and the said target moves before the door so as to inform him that he may proceed with the call.
  • magnet 21 does not operate the said target will not be displayed and the subscriber is notified that he cannot make a call at this time.
  • a condenser 160 is bridged around the magnet 21.
  • the calling subscriber may listen in the receiver and thereby ascertain if any one is talking on the line. If he hears no one talking he will probably assume that the line is out of order and report the same to the proper authorities. Obviously if the condenser is omitted the system is transformed into a positive lock out system. ⁇ Vhen a calling subscriber finds that the line is busy he hangs up his receiver and waits a reasonable interval before attempting to call again.
  • the impulse springs of the said substation are shunted by magnet 21 of the substation A, this magnet is of such high resistance and impedance that its eiiect on the interruptions ot the line circuit produced by the calling device is practically negligible. While, as before stated, the high impedence of magnet 21 prevents the building up of currentflfiow in its winding su'lficiently' to practically prevent intertcn ence with the operation of a calling device at another substation, an impulse of current, though delayed passes through the magnet 21 every time the line circuit is interrupted by the calling device at substation A and the cumulative effect of successive impulses would tend to energize the said magnet, were it not for special provisions designed to prevent such occurrence.
  • the condenser 161 at substation A is charged over the following path: line conductor 102, the switchho'ok and its upper contact, the impulse springs X, the receiver, the transmitter, resting contact of spring and said spring, condenser 161, and magnet 45 to line conductor 101.
  • the condenser is of course discharged over the same path by the closure of the circuit following each interruption. While the armature of magnet 21 is in retracted position the armature of magnet L5 is held quite close to the core (see Fig. 1) so that the latter armature is able to respond to the current produced by the charging and discharging or condenser 161.
  • a measured service telephone system means for connecting a calling and a called line, a cumulative time indicating device, driving means for operating said device to assess an invariable and fixed line charge against the calling subscriber when the called subscriber answers, and time mechanism controlling said driving means to operate said indicating device to record the exact duration of the conversation.
  • a series of automatic switches for connecting a calling and a called line, cumulative time registering mechanism at the station on the calling line, said mechanism comprising cumulative time indicating means and time controlled driving means, a control circuit for said registering means, means in one of said switches for altering the control circuit upon the response of the called subscriber to uninterruptedly advance the said indicating means under control of said driving means to assess a charge in accordance with the exact duration of the conversation, and means operated automatically at the beginning of the conversation for causing the driving means to advance the said indicating means a definite amount independent of time control to assess a fixed line charge.
  • an indicating device In a cumulative time register, an indicating device, driving mechanism for said device, time mechanism normally controlling said driving mechanism, and means for temporarily releasing said driving mechanism from the control of said time mechanism to cause the driving mechanism to advance the said indicating device independent of any control.
  • an indicating device In a cumulative time register, an indicating device, driving mechanism for said device, time mechanism controlling said driving mechanism, means for starting said time mechanism to permit the driving mechanism to advance the indicating device, and means for simultaneously and momentarily releasing the said driving mechanism from the control of said time mechanism, to instantaneously advance the said indicating device a definite amount at the beginning of its normal time controlled movement.
  • a cumulative time register for use at a telephone station in assessing elapsed time charges against the subscriber, said register comprising a time indicating device and means for rapidly advancing said device a given amount at the beginning of ach conversation and for continuously advancing said device at a slower rate of speed from the beginning of each conversation to the end thereof.
  • a cumulative time register for use at a telephone station in assessing elapsed time charges against the subscriber, said register comprising an indicator, a dial cooperating with said indicator and calibrated in units of time, means for rapidly advancing said indicator over a certain number of divisions of the dial at the beginning of each conversation and for continuing its movement until the conversation -is finished, and means for causing the continued movement to proceed at a slower rate in accordance with the time consumed.
  • a cumulative time register for a telemomentarily releasing the hands from t phone substation comprising a time indicator, a source of power for moving said indicator to assess a charge for a conversation, clockwork for causing the movement to proceed at the proper rate to enable said indicator to accurately measure the time consumed, and means operating automatically at the beginning of the conversation for causing a limited movement of the said indicator independent of control by said clockwork.
  • a cumulative time register for a telephone substation comprising a dial calibrated in hours and minutes, hour and min ute hands cooperating with theirreSpective parts of the dial to indicate time, a source of power for moving said hands during conversation, clockwork for regulating the rate of movement in accordance with the time consumed, and means for automatically and he control of said clockwork during each conversation to permit a more rapid movement thereof.
  • Acumulative time register for a telephone substation comprising a dial calibrated in hours and minutes, hour and minute hands cooperating with their respective parts of the dial. to indicate time, and mechanism for causing two distinct movements of said hands during a conversation to assess a charge against the subscriber, one movement being momentary and at a high. rate, and the other movement being continuous throughout the conversation and at the proper rate to cause said hands to measure the time consumed.
  • a cumulative time register for a telephone substation comprising a dial calibrated in units of time, a hand cooperating with said dial to indicate the total time units to be charged for, and mechanism for causing two movements of said hand during aconversation, one movement being at a relatively high rate, and the other movement being at the proper rate to measure the total time consumed.
  • a cumulative time register comprising a time indicating device, a source of power for operating said device, timing mechanism including an escapem-ent and balance wheel for regulating the rate of operation, and a second escapemcnt intervening between the said first escapenient and said indicating device to provide for a limited operation thereof independent of time control.
  • v 14 In a measured service telephone system, means for connecting a calling and a called line, a cumulative time indicating device, driving means for operating said device to assess an invariable and fixed line charge against the calling subscriber when the called subscriber answers, and time mechanism controlling said driving means to operate said indicating device to assess an additional; charge against said subscriber always in direct proportion to the exact duration of the conversation.
  • a measured service telephone system calling and called lines, means for connecting said lines, acal-ling device at the station of each line, a timing mechanism on each line, a relay for controlling the timing mechanism to assess charges, said calling device and relay normally inoperative, means for simultaneously rendering the calling device and the relay operative, said relay energizing when the called subscriber answers to start the timing mechanism and to again render itself and the calling device inoperative, and mechanical means for releasing said relay.
  • a calling and a cal-led line means for establishing a talking circuit between said lines, a timing device on the calling line, means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for recording a delinitetirne interval on said device as an initial charge and for starting the device, said device operated to record the actual number of seconds elapsi-ng between the establishment and the breaking down of said talking circuit.
  • a measured service telephone system calling and called lines, means for establishing a connection between a calling and a called line, a timing ,device onthe calling line which records the number of seconds the connect-ion is maintained, said device started when the called subscriber answers and stopped when the connection is broken, and means for recording a ll-XGCl number of seconds on the device for each call independent of the time the connection is maintained V 18-.
  • a calling and a called line means for establishing a connection between said lines, a meter consisting essentially of a clock mechanism associated with the calling line, means for advancing said meter to assess an initial charge automatically when the called party: answers, said means. also starting the clock mechanism to record the seconds duration of the call, and means for stopping the clock mechanism when the connection is broken down.
  • a calling and a called line means for establishing a connection bet-ween said lines, a cumulative time register, controlled by a clock mechanism, associated with the calling line, means for advancing the register to recerda definite time interval and for starting the clock mechanism when the called party answers, for advancing the register to record the time of conversation as measured by the clock mechanism, and means for stopping the clock mechanism when the connection is broken down.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
  • Meter Arrangements (AREA)
US461760A 1921-04-16 1921-04-16 Measured-service telephone system Expired - Lifetime US1532391A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US461760A US1532391A (en) 1921-04-16 1921-04-16 Measured-service telephone system
DEA37540D DE477682C (de) 1921-04-16 1922-04-16 Zaehler, insbesondere fuer Gespraechszaehlung in Fernsprechanlagen

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US461760A US1532391A (en) 1921-04-16 1921-04-16 Measured-service telephone system

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US1532391A true US1532391A (en) 1925-04-07

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US461760A Expired - Lifetime US1532391A (en) 1921-04-16 1921-04-16 Measured-service telephone system

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4727577A (en) * 1986-05-30 1988-02-23 American Telephone And Telegraph Company, At&T Bell Laboratories Method of and apparatus for recording information on the accumulated usage of a trunk

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4727577A (en) * 1986-05-30 1988-02-23 American Telephone And Telegraph Company, At&T Bell Laboratories Method of and apparatus for recording information on the accumulated usage of a trunk

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Publication number Publication date
DE477682C (de) 1929-06-14

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